GovMan

Man, I got on to read your rankings and I kept wanting to rip you, but I just can't do it bro. You obviously are pretty well informed and you make great points. I probably have a district 4 bias (I know I have a William Blount bias) but I still wouldn't be surprised to see two d4 teams advance to sub-state. Of course, I haven't seen Powell play and I know they have quality win versus Bearden. Blount is without the services of their 6'9" post player Brad Lafoy (grade 2 ankle sprain this past Friday night could keep him out up to 3 weeks). They probably don't drop much talent wise as far as putting a starting five on the floor, but it is a serious depth blow to them. Lafoy just weighs around 175 and he's strictly finesse, but he had a few 15 - 20 point games this year. Maryville is the team to beat in District 4, no question. My biggest hope for Blount against Bearden or Maryville is the old "it's hard to beat somebody three times in a season theory". Should be some great basketball at WB starting this Saturday!!! GovMan

Blue Sally, Do me a favor. From the way you almost deify Coach Meadows, I have to assume you know him. Next time you talk to him, tell him, "Hey Scott, I got on the internet and told people that your were a better coach than Steve Fugate, Bill Cochran, and Dan Webb." Watch Scott's reaction to that. I'm not sure who offensive coordinator might have been in the situation you refer to, but I'll stake my reputation (which probably ain't much) on the fact that if Alcoa did something stupid, Dan Webb wasn't in the press box. He knew a whole lot more than just sweeps and counters--Alcoa Champ that's one of the most ludicrous things I've seen anyone post on this web sight since I've been on it-- he knew more offense than any coach I've ever been around and I promise you I've been around several. He was the best half-time adjuster I've ever seen, and I promise you, if there's 2 minutes left in a game and my team needs to score (think Austin East in the state championship year ... 88 or 89) to win, Dan Webb is who I want calling the plays. Guys, it's ok to support your coach ... but don't knock guys who are pretty much coaching legends. They've worked hard to achieve the status they deserve. GovMan [Edited by GovMan on 2-18-03 3:22P]

I didn't get to the game ... the Govs must have not been on ... even though, I understand that Loudon is pretty tough. Lafoy has a severe (grade 2) ankle sprain and could be out for at least a couple of weeks. Somebody tell me that Loudon is really great at home, cause it's hard for me to be selling that WB is going to win their district tournament when they lose to the Redskins. Bearden is struggling also ... if you call losing to Powell and A.E. struggling. Who knows, Maryville could be looking at a cakewalk through the district!!! I don't think Coach Baumann would have a huge preference between South Doyle and Heritage, but my preference would be Heritage. South Doyle gives the Gov's more match-up problems than Heritage does. I think in the next couple of years, South Doyle is going to be one of the top teams in the district. GovMan

Here's how they'll finish: 1. William Blount 2. Maryville 3. Bearden 4. Farragut **West could very easily knock off Farragut, but they'll still lose to Maryville in the semi's and to Bearden in the consolation game. Blount is peaking at just the right time. GovMan

Blue Salley, Just curious ... would you say that Meadow's knowlegdge of the game exceeded that of Steve Fugate ... Bill Cochran ... and Dan Webb? I'm not doubting his ability to coach ... I'm only saying that in my book, it takes awhile before I'm going to put someone in the same league as those gentlemen listed above. GovMan

Meadows ... "one of the best coaches in Alcoa history" That might be a stretch for someone who was there two years . Think Bailey, Cochran, Fugate, Dalton ... and one of the greatest assistant coaches ever of all time, Dan Webb. GovMan

Hey Guys, Lawhon is currently a senior at William Blount. He will enter Indiana State in the fall on a full ride to play football for the Sycamores. GovMan

Blue Sally, Some pretty good and astute picks my man. Al Sr. may have been the best ever from the Blount County area. Many might argue the Maryville pick, there's been a lot of great Rebels to wear the black and red, but very few have had the total package that Spradlin had. Danny was a "man-child" in high school. I would have to guess that he would still rank as one of U.T.'s fastest linebackers ever. I've not kept up with Heritage much, but two great running backs I remember in the late 70's early 80's period are Danny Mathis and Richard Hyatt. I think Hyatt once had 6 td's in a game against Austin East, which I'm sure would be a school record. There's been some years the whole team hasn't scored much more than 6 tds in the entire season. Wm. Blount is a toughie for me. I'm more familiar with their program than any other. Josh Lawhon, a senior this year, is one of their best defensive players ever I think. My pick would probably be a guy by the name of Tony "Meathead" Robinson, a running back back in the early 80's. Wasn't the fastest they've ever had, but probably the most elusive runner to ever suit up for the Govs. One of his claims to fame was that he once scored 7 td's in a game for his midget league team. GovMan

I am indeed an expert on basketball. I have coached aau on various levels, as well as Upward and the infamous First Baptist Alcoa Church League. I played at Friendsville and Wm. Blount in the late 70's & early 80's. I averaged over 25 minutes per game on the bench and I led my team my senior year in "N.T.P.G.B.Y.B.C." -- the number of times per game being yelled at by the coach. Would you be interested in my zodiac sign or my favorite movies or what I like to do in my spare time? GovMan

For all my qualified official friends. Clear this up for me. From my understanding, the new ruling this year on the college level on a technical foul is this. The player and/or team committing the technical is assessed the foul on their foul count. The offended team shoots the two technical shots. BUT then possession of ball goes to "point of interuption." Another words, you may shoot the technical shots but not get the ball then like we've always been accustomed to. My question is ... does this rule apply this year on the high school level as well? GovMan

Salty, You know ... Patsy Cline left for us an Heritage when it comes to country music. She definitely reached the "summit" in her profession. I've never really gotten "ober" her. GovMan

Ego, First session will start at noon on Saturday, February 22. Of course, this will be the lowest seeded teams playing that day. The tournament is at William Blount High. Easiest way to get there from Knoxville that I can tell you (some may disagree) is take 129S (Alcoa Hwy) past airport. A mile or so past airport you'll come to a fork. Stay right like following Atlanta/Fontana signs. Stay on 129 south until 3rd traffic light (approx. 2 1/2 miles). Turn right at this light (you'll see Home Depot where you turn). You'll be turning onto Foothills Mall Drive. Go to second light and turn right onto 321 (there will be a McDonalds where you turn). You'll stay on 321 (headed in the direction of Lenoir City) for a few miles. After you pass through I think what is the second light, you'll start up a long incline. You'll see a driving range on your right, then you'll see Smoky View Baptist Church on your right. Up at the top of that incline, Hwy. 335 (William Blount Drive) will turn off to your left. Take it ... stay on it .... you'll go through one traffic light ... keep going ... cross a bridge ... and soon you'll see William Blount High on your left. Don't take first left you see, but turn at sign (if you see Middle School you've gone too far) and you'll come right down to where the gym is. I'll email you with my phone number is you need me to make that more plain!! GovMan

I saw the Kite kid play against William Blount a couple of weeks ago. He got 27 that night. He's gonna be a great one. South Doyle is young and I also know they have an outstanding group of 8th graders this year. It would be nice to see that program move back toward the prominence they use to display a few years ago. I agree they are dangerous in the tournament. Obviously, Maryville and Bearden sit atop the heap, but let's get real ... there are at least four more teams (William Blount, Farragut, South Doyle, and West) that are capable of upsetting either one of the big two. I'm looking forward to the district tournament ... it's at our house!!! GovMan

As far as middle school goes, it's gotta be Athens Jr. High. First, the gym is round. Next, the cheerleaders stand in front of the spectators so that it's impossible to see from the first 4 or 5 rows. Next, the kid's are rude and classless and constantly taunt the visitors. Next, the principal sits on his butt in the corner and assumes no responsiblity and does absolutely nothing to discipline his unruly masses. And finally, ask anyone who's ever played there about the officials. It's 5 on 7 when you play the Cougars. GovMan

Grider, You do a lot of talking about Maryville. Just wondering ... do you go there, or did you graduate there? Or did you perhaps go to another high school and have now changed your allegiance? As far as "lightning rarely striking the same place twice" ... be sure and watch Sweet Home Alabama if you haven't already. 'Nuff Said. GovMan

I'm kind of sensitive when people lump William Blount and Heritage together, implying they are the same quality football team. Certainly, Wm. Blount is not at Maryville's level ... nobody was. They did take Maryville into the third quarter this year in a pretty good football team, but faded in the fourth. However, William Blount has played pretty decent football for the past 5 - 6 years. Been to the play-offs a few times. Advanced into the second round at least a couple of times. Went up to Dobyns-Bennett 2 years ago and beat them in first round of play-offs when they were undefeated and ranked 1 or 2 in state I believe. I don't foresee the Gov's winning it all any time real soon, but to be a perennial play-off team when you play in a district with Ooltewah, Soddy Daisy, McMinn Central, Farragut, & Oak Ridge is not exactly as terrible as you guys make it sound. Someone mentioned how "athletic" Knox Central was. Check their record against William Blount the past 4 years. I believe it's 3 & 1 in favor of the Governors. Just keepin' it real. GovMan

SlipSteam: Carpenter's girls team (Blount County) finished second in their district tournament this past week at Athens and is supposed to come up to Lafollette on Tuesday night to play a third seed there. Any idea of who'll they'll be playing? GovMan

I think if you'll wait, you'll see a few more Maryville, Alcoa, and Wm. Blount players commit to play at the next level. I do agree with you that Waters has D1 A potential. Galyon's size works against him I think. He'll definitely have to change positions at the next level. GovMan

I neither play now, nor did I play last year but I might be able to help you with your question. Let me know. GovMan

If I were starting a high school girl's team tomorrow, the first player I'd pick in the state would be Cait McMahan. It's not just the tangible stuff ... all of you posters will try to compare numbers and when you do remember Cait is a freshman and her numbers will compare favorably with anyone you want to compare her to ...but she's got those intangibles that are so special. Simply put, she wins. She makes everyone around her better. You never see her loafing. She never gives up no matter what. She plays with an incredible amount of heart. She's as good as any high school freshman has been in Tennessee. GovMan

marcvols, What it is my friend, is about winning when it matters. Last year, Wm. Blount did and Maryville didn't. If "William Blount is what's wrong with the Tennessee tournament," as you say, then the tournament is in great shape. Whether I'm Maryville or Bearden, William Blount is the team I would least want to play in the tournament this year. GovMan [Edited by GovMan on 2-8-03 12:04P]

I think Tech got a steal. I personally thought Waters was D1 Major College material. His upside is unlimited I think. I know the Vols closed strong on recruiting day, but for the life of me ... not only is Maryville an elite powerhouse ... but Coach Fulmer's girls go there!!! It looks like some of those guys winning those state championships would get noticed !!! Obviously, it would be a good P.R. move, but more than that, there's some guys that that could play on that level. GovMan

Gary Turner, Sports Editor of The Maryville Daily Times in the early '80s, once said this about Mike White. "If I were to stick my head out of the door of our newspaper office this morning, and see the Communist Army marching down Harper Street invading Maryville, Mike White is the first person I can think of I would want on my side to go to war!" If you played for him or knew him, you understand why he would have said that. For those who only measure success by winning--and we're all guilty of that sometimes--you might question Coach's success at William Blount. But if success also involves teaching kids how to be committed to a cause; how to work hard everyday no matter what; how to be loyal to teammates; how to carry yourself with dignity; how to realize that life is more than just football ... well, then Mike White was as successful as any coach ever. And to close, for those who have been around Blount County for a while, not only was Coach White a great coach, he was probably one of the finest athletes to ever come out of this area. He played liked he coached ... all or nothing. I'll always have an image in my mind of when he got intense and those eyes got as big around as silver dollars ... he could put the fear of God in you, but you knew that he loved you and cared about you. God Bless you Coach. And God Bless Susan, little Mike, Nick, and Rachel. GovMan

Redrage, I'm not betting man, but if I was ... I'd be willing to be you that Bearden and Maryville don't play in the district finals. Go ahead and smack me if you wish, but also, save this post and get it back out after the districts. GovMan

I know it's not a huge deal for a lot of you schools that send players to big college programs on a regular basis... but we had a nice little signing ceremony this morning at William Blount. Linebackers Josh Lawhon and Jared Rosenow signed with Indiana State University (D1 2A). Did it in the auditorium with team members, parents, grandparents, special guests in attendance. At least one of the Knoxville tv stations was there and a couple of newspapers. It's a positive step for William Blount football and for head coach John Reid. Most likely, 4 - 5 more Gov's will sign at various other small school programs before it's over. By the way, for you trivia buffs, WB did have one of their players go on to play for a D1-1A Southeastern Conference School a few years back. He played in at least one major bowl I think, maybe more. Who can name him? GovMan